Compact folded camera

ABSTRACT

Folded cameras comprising a movable lens having a lens optical axis and positioned in an optical path between an optical path folding element (OPFE) and an image sensor, wherein the OPFE folds light from a first direction to a second direction, the second direction being substantially along the lens optical axis, and an actuator for controlled lens movement, the actuator including or being attached to a shield partially surrounding the lens, the shield having an opening positioned and dimensioned to enable installation of the lens into the shield from an insertion direction substantially parallel to the first direction. A folded camera disclosed herein may be included together with an upright camera in a dual-camera.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/110,344 filed Dec. 3, 2020 (now allowed), which was a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/332,946 filed Mar. 13, 2019 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,884,321), which was a 371 application from international patent application No. PCT/IB2017/058403 filed Dec. 26, 2017, and is related to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent application 62/445,271 filed Jan. 12, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

Embodiments disclosed herein relate in general to digital cameras and in particular to thin folded optics cameras.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, mobile devices such as cell-phones (and in particular smart-phones), tablets and laptops have become ubiquitous. Many of these devices include one or two compact cameras including, for example, a main rear-facing camera (i.e. a camera on the back side of the device, facing away from the user and often used for casual photography) and a secondary front-facing camera (i.e. a camera located on the front side of the device and often used for video conferencing).

Although relatively compact in nature, the design of most of these cameras is similar to the traditional structure of a digital still camera, i.e. it comprises a lens assembly (or a train of several optical elements) placed on top of an image sensor. The lens assembly (also referred to as “lens module” or simply “lens”) refracts the incoming light rays and bends them to create an image of a scene on the sensor. The dimensions of these cameras are largely determined by the size of the sensor and by the height of the optics. These are usually tied together through the focal length (“f”) of the lens and its field of view (FOV)—a lens that has to image a certain FOV on a sensor of a certain size has a specific focal length. Keeping the FOV constant, the larger the sensor dimensions the larger the focal length and the optics height.

The assembly process of a traditional camera typically includes handling of a few sub-assemblies: a lens, a sensor board sub-assembly and an actuator. The lens is typically made of plastic and includes a few (3-7) lens elements typically made of plastic or glass. The sensor board sub-assembly typically includes the image sensor, a printed circuit board (PCB) and electronics needed for the operation of the camera, as known in the art. The actuator is used for several purposes: (1) it serves as a chassis for the camera, on which other parts are installed, (2) it is used to move the lens for optical needs, for example for focusing and in particular auto focusing (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS), and (3) it is used for mechanical protection of the other parts of the camera. In known art, the lens is inserted and attached (e.g. glued) to the actuator from one side, along the lens optical axis, whereas the sensor board is attached (e.g. glued) to the actuator from the opposite side along the optical axis.

Recently a “folded camera module” has been suggested to reduce the height of a compact camera. In the folded camera module, an optical path folding element (referred to hereinafter as “OPFE”) e.g. a prism or a mirror (otherwise referred to herein collectively as “reflecting element”) is added in order to tilt the light propagation direction from perpendicular to the smart-phone back surface to parallel to the smart-phone back surface. If the folded camera module is part of a dual-aperture camera, this provides a folded optical path through one lens assembly (e.g. a Tele lens). Such a camera is referred to herein as “folded-lens dual-aperture camera” or “dual-aperture camera with a folded lens”. In general, the folded camera module may be included in a multi-aperture camera, for example together with two “non-folded” (upright) camera modules in a triple-aperture camera.

A small height of a folded camera module (or simply “folded camera”) is important to allow a host device (e.g. a smartphone, tablets, laptops, smart TV) that includes it to be as thin as possible. The height of the camera is limited many times by the industrial design. In contrast, increasing the available height for the lens, sensor and OPFE may improve optical properties. Therefore, there is a need for having a folded camera in which the height of the lens is maximal for a given camera height, and/or the height of the image sensor active area is maximal for a given camera height, and/or the height of OPFE is maximal for a given camera height.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to thin folded cameras.

In various exemplary embodiments, there are provided folded cameras comprising a movable lens positioned in an optical path between an OPFE and an image sensor, wherein the OPFE folds light from a first direction to a second direction and wherein the lens has a lens optical axis substantially parallel to the second direction and a lens height substantially aligned with the first direction; a shield partially surrounding the lens and having a shield thickness, wherein the shield is part of an actuator and includes top and bottom parts with respective top and bottom surfaces that lie in planes that are substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and wherein one of the shield top or bottom parts has a respective opening; and a lid having a first lid thickness and covering the opening in the shield, wherein the folded camera has a camera height substantially equal to a sum of the lens height, the first lid thickness, the shield thickness, the size of a first air gap between a first point on a surface of the lens facing the lid and the size of a second air gap being between a second point on a surface of the lens diametrically opposed to the first point and facing the shield.

Note that as used hereinafter, the terms “top” and “bottom” refer to certain positions/directions: “top” indicates a side of the folded camera or a component of the folded camera in a direction facing a photographed object of interest (not shown), while “bottom” indicates a side of the folded camera or a component of the folded camera in a direction facing away from (opposite from) a photographed object of interest. In other words, the terms “top” and “bottom” refer to positioning of parts/elements/components lying in planes perpendicular to an axis 112 (see FIG. 1A below), where “top” is in a plane closer to the object of interest for photography and “bottom” is in a plane further away from the object of interest for photography than the top plane.

In an exemplary embodiment, the other of the top or bottom parts of the shield includes a respective second opening covered by a lid with a respective second lid thickness, the second air gap is between the second point and the second lid and the second lid thickness replaces the shield thickness.

In an exemplary embodiment, each air gap is in the range of 10-50 μm. In an exemplary embodiment, each air gap is in the range of 10-100 μm. In an exemplary embodiment, each air gap is in the range of 10-150 μm.

In an exemplary embodiment, a folded camera further comprises a lens carrier for holding the lens, the lens carrier having a V-groove structure for mechanically positioning the lens in a correct position inside the shield.

In an exemplary embodiment, the opening in the shield is dimensioned to enable insertion of the lens into the shield in a direction parallel to the first direction and perpendicular to the lens optical axis.

In an exemplary embodiment, the image sensor is wire bonded to a printed circuit board with wire bonds located on sides of the image sensor that are substantially perpendicular to the lid and to the opposite surface of the shield.

In an exemplary embodiment, the movable lens is movable for focusing.

In an exemplary embodiment, the movable lens is movable for optical image stabilization.

In various embodiments, the folded camera has a height not exceeding the lens height by more than 800 μm. In an embodiment, the folded camera has a height not exceeding the lens height by more than 700 μm. In an embodiment, the folded camera has a height not exceeding the lens height by more than 600 μm.

In an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a folded camera comprising a movable lens having a lens optical axis and positioned in an optical path between an OPFE and an image sensor, wherein the OPFE folds light from a first direction to a second direction, the second direction being substantially along the lens optical axis, and an actuator for controlled lens movement, the actuator including a shield partially surrounding the lens and having an opening positioned and dimensioned to enable installation of the lens into the shield from an insertion direction substantially parallel to the first direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, a folded camera further comprises a lens carrier for holding the lens, the lens carrier having a V-groove structure for mechanically positioning the lens in a correct position during installation.

In an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a folded camera comprising a lens positioned in an optical path between an optical path folding element and an image sensor, the lens having a lens height and an optical axis, wherein the folded camera has a height not exceeding the lens height by more than 600 μm.

In an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a folded camera comprising a lens positioned in an optical path between an OPFE and an image sensor, wherein the OPFE folds light from a first direction to a second direction and wherein the image sensor is wire bonded to a printed circuit board with wire bonds located on sides of the image sensor that are substantially parallel to the first direction.

In various embodiments, a folded camera as above and as described below is included together with an upright camera in a dual-camera.

In various exemplary embodiments, there are provided methods for assembling a folded camera, comprising providing an actuator for the folded camera, the actuator having a shield, inserting a lens of the folded camera into the actuator through an opening in the shield, the lens having a lens optical axis, inserting an OPFE into the actuator, wherein the OPFE folds light arriving from a first direction to a second direction, wherein the top surface of the shield faces the light from the first direction and wherein the lens optical axis is substantially parallel to the second direction, covering the shield opening with a lid, and attaching an image sensor of the folded camera to the actuator.

In an exemplary embodiment, the covering the shield opening with a lid includes fixedly attaching the lid to the shield.

In an exemplary embodiment, the opening is a top opening in the shield, and wherein the inserting the OPFE into the actuator includes inserting the OPFE from a top surface of the actuator.

In an exemplary embodiment, the opening is a top opening in the shield, and wherein the inserting the OPFE into the actuator includes inserting the OPFE from a bottom surface of the actuator.

In an exemplary embodiment there is provided a method for assembling a folded camera, comprising: providing an actuator for the folded camera, the actuator having a shield and a base separated into a back base part and a front base part; inserting a lens of the folded camera into the actuator through an opening in the shield, the lens having a lens optical axis; inserting an OPFE into the actuator back base part, wherein the OPFE folds light arriving from a first direction to a second direction, wherein the top surface of the shield faces the light from the first direction and wherein the lens optical axis is substantially parallel to the second direction; attaching the back base part to the front base part; covering the shield opening with a lid; and attaching an image sensor of the folded camera to the actuator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting examples of embodiments disclosed herein are described below with reference to figures attached hereto that are listed following this paragraph. Identical structures, elements or parts that appear in more than one figure are generally labeled with a same numeral in all the figures in which they appear. The drawings and descriptions are meant to illuminate and clarify embodiments disclosed herein, and should not be considered limiting in any way. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A shows describe an example of a folded camera disclosed herein;

FIG. 1B shows the folded camera of FIG. 1A separated into several parts and sub-systems or sub-assemblies;

FIG. 1C shows one embodiment of the actuator of the folded camera of FIG. 1A with opposite lens and OPFE directions of insertion into the actuator;

FIG. 1D shows another embodiment of the actuator of the folded camera of FIG. 1A with same lens and OPFE directions of insertion into the actuator;

FIG. 2A shows the lens of the folded camera of FIG. 1A in an isometric view;

FIG. 2B shows the lens of the folded camera of FIG. 1A in a longitudinal cross section;

FIG. 2C shows an embodiment of the lens of the folded camera of FIG. 1A having top and bottom flat facets in a radial cross section;

FIG. 2D shows an embodiment of the lens of the folded camera of FIG. 1A without top and bottom flat facets in a radial cross section;

FIG. 3A shows an image sensor-PCB sub-assembly of the folded camera of FIG. 1A in an exploded view;

FIG. 3B shows a rigid sensor PCB and an image sensor with wire bonds in the image sensor-PCB sub-assembly of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A shows an exploded view of an actuator of the folded camera of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4B shows an electronic sub-system of the folded camera of FIG. 1A from one side;

FIG. 4C shows an electronic sub-system of the folded camera of FIG. 1A from another side;

FIG. 4D shows another embodiment of an actuator of the folded camera of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 5A shows a longitudinal cross section of a complete folded camera along a cut A-A in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 5B shows a radial cross section of a complete folded camera along a cut B-B in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 6 shows the internal structure of a driver integrated circuit for the actuator;

FIG. 7 shows schematically an example of a dual-camera including a folded camera as in FIG. 1A and an upright camera;

FIG. 8A shows schematically steps in the assembly of a folded camera according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 8B shows schematically steps in the assembly of a folded camera according to another exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of a folded camera numbered 100 in an isometric view. An orthogonal X-Y-Z coordinate (“axis”) system shown applies also to all following drawings. This coordinate system is exemplary. FIG. 1B shows camera 100 separated into several parts and sub-systems or sub-assemblies: a lens assembly (or simply “lens”) 102, an optical path folding element (OPFE) 104, an image sensor-PCB sub-assembly 106, an actuator 108 and a top lid 110. Top lid 110 includes a section 110 a and a section 110 b, the latter having an opening 110 c. In some embodiments (such as in FIGS. 1A and 1B), section 110 a and a section 110 b are part of a single plate (lid 110).

In some embodiments (such as in FIGS. 1C and 1D) section 110 a and a section 110 b are separate parts of lid 110. OPFE 104 folds an optical path along an axis 112 parallel to the Y axis (in the exemplary coordinate system) from an object (not shown) into an optical path along an axis 114 parallel to the Z axis (in the exemplary coordinate system). Axis 114 is the optical axis of lens 102. An image sensor 116 included in sub-assembly 106 has a plane normal substantially aligned with axis 114. That is, image sensor 116 lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to axis 114. FIG. 1C shows one embodiment of camera 100 with opposite lens and OPFE directions of insertion into actuator 108, while FIG. 1D shows another embodiment of camera 100 with same lens and OPFE directions of insertion into actuator 108. As used herein with reference to a direction, “substantially” may refer to an exact alignment to the direction, or to a deviation of up to 0.5 degree, up to 1 degree, up to 5 degrees or even to 10 degrees.

Top lid 110 is made for example of metal, e.g. a non-ferromagnetic stainless-steel sheet, with typical thickness of 50-300 μm. Top lid 110 is positioned on a top side of actuator 108, after the assembly of actuator 108 and after the installation of lens 102 and OPFE 104 in actuator 108. Top lid 110 is close to touching the top surface of OPFE 104 during installation (a nominal gap of 10-30 μm). Opening 110 c is designed such that light coming from an object will pass through it and reach OPFE 104.

Details of lens 102 are shown in and described with reference to FIGS. 2A-2D. Details of sub-assembly 106 are shown in, and described with reference to FIGS. 3A-3B. Details of actuator 108 are shown in, and described with reference to FIGS. 4A-C.

The height H of camera 100 is defined along the Y axis (direction of axis 112), from a lowermost end to an uppermost end, excluding a flex PCB 304 and a connector 306 (see below—FIG. 3B). H is an important figure of merit in commercial applications. Therefore, reducing H for a given lens size to be as small as possible is a major design goal. Alternatively, maximizing the lens size for a given H is a major design goal.

FIG. 2A shows lens 102 in an isometric view, FIG. 2B shows lens 102 in a longitudinal cross section, and FIGS. 2C and 2D show lens 102 in radial cross sections, respectively with and without flat facets on top and bottom external lens surfaces. Lens 102 includes several lens elements 202 a-d (in general typically 3-8, with FIG. 2A showing as an example four), each lens element made for example of plastic or glass molding. Lens elements 202 a-d are held in a lens barrel 204, made for example of plastic molding. A lens height (or “external diameter” in case of a cylindrically shaped lens) 206 is defined as the distance along the Y axis (or in the same direction as camera height H) from a lowermost point 206 a on an external surface of lens 102 to an upper-most point 206 b on the external surface of lens 102. Typically, points 206 a-b are located on lens barrel 204, namely the height of lens 102 is limited by lens barrel 204. In some embodiments, at least one of lens elements 202 a-d may extend outside of lens barrel 204. In such embodiments, the height of lens 102 may be limited by one or more of elements 202 a-d and/or by lens barrel 204. An optical aperture 208 of lens 102 is defined as the diameter of the opening in lens 102 toward the OPFE (104) side, as known in the art. Optical aperture 208 determines many properties of the optical quality of lens 102 and of camera 100, as known in the art. The lens design is targeted to maximize optical aperture 208 vs. the lens height. Lens 102 typically has a general cylindrical shape, with a diameter larger than optical aperture 208 by, typically, 600 μm-2600 μm. In some embodiments, two flat facets 210 a-b can be provided in the external surface (envelope) of lens 102 on its top and bottom sides, such as to reduce lens height 206 by, typically, 50-200 μm per facet, i.e. by a total of 100-400 μm. In such embodiments, the flat facets coincide with the lowermost and uppermost points 206 a-b. The radial cross sections in FIGS. 2C and 2D show the lens with (FIG. 2C) and without (FIG. 2D) flat facets. The lens height (external diameter) reduction does not change the size of optical aperture 208.

FIG. 3A shows image sensor-PCB sub-assembly 106 in an exploded view. Sub-assembly 106 includes image sensor 116, a rigid sensor PCB 302, flex PCB 304, a connector 306, a bracket 308 and an IR filter 310. Image sensor 116, typically made of silicon as known in the art, is first mechanically attached (glued) and then electrically wire bonded to rigid sensor PCB 302. In order to minimize the camera height H and to maximize the height (dimension along Y) of image sensor 116, wire bonds 312 on image sensor 116 are located only on its two sides (along the X direction). The positioning of wire bonds 312 only to the sides of image sensor 116 allows rigid sensor PCB 302 not to exceed camera height H, as defined below. Thus, H can be minimized for a given PCB size or, alternatively, the PCB size can be maximized for a given H.

FIG. 3B shows rigid sensor PCB 302 and image sensor 116 with wire bonds 312. Rigid sensor PCB 302 further includes four wiring pads 314 a-d, which are positioned next to wiring pads 452 a-d (FIG. 4C) to pass electrical signals to an IC driver 450 (FIG. 4B), as described below. As known, rigid sensor PCB 302 and flex PCB 304 may be made as one unit in a rigid-flex technology. Rigid sensor PCB 302 had rigid mechanical properties which allow mounting of sensor 116 and other optional electronic components such as capacitors, resistors, memory IC, etc. (not shown in the figures). Rigid sensor PCB 302 may have several (typically 2-6) metal (e.g. copper) layers and a thickness of 200 μm or more. Flex PCB 304 has flexible mechanical properties, which allows it to bend such that the position of connector 306 does not increase the height H of camera 100. Flex PCB 304 may have only two copper layers and a thickness of 50-100 μm. These and other fabrication considerations for rigid, flex and rigid-flex PCBs are known in the art.

Connector 306 is a board to board connector, as known in the art. Connector 306 is soldered to PCB 304 and allows sending and receiving digital signals required for the operation of image sensor 116 and IC driver 450 from the host device in which the camera is installed. The host may be for example a cell phone, a computer, a TV, a drone, smart eye glasses, etc.

Camera 100 has the ability to actuate (move) lens 102 along its optical axis 114 for the purpose of focusing or auto focusing (AF), as known in the art. Focusing actuation is done using actuator 108, which is described now in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4A-4C.

FIG. 4A shows an exploded view of actuator 108. Actuator 108 includes an actuated-sub assembly 402. Actuated-sub assembly 402 includes a lens carrier 404, typically made of plastic, an actuation magnet 406 and a sensing magnet 408. Magnets 406 and 408 can be for example permanent magnets, made from a neodymium alloy (e.g. Nd₂Fe₁₄B) or a samarium-cobalt alloy (e.g. SmCo₅). Magnet 406 can be fabricated (e.g. sintered) such that it changes the magnetic poles direction: on the positive Z side the north magnetic pole faces the negative X direction, while on the negative Z side the north-pole faces the positive X direction. Magnet 408 can be fabricated (e.g. sintered) such that its north magnetic pole faces the negative Z direction. Magnets 406 and 408 are fixedly attached (e.g. glued) to lens carrier 404 from the side (X direction). In other embodiments, magnets 406 and/or 408 may be attached to lens carrier 404 from the bottom (negative Y direction). The magnetic functions of magnets 406 and 408 are described below.

Lens carrier 404 houses lens 102 in an internal volume. Lens carrier 404 has a top opening (or gap) 410 a, a bottom opening (or gap) 410 b, a front opening 410 c and a back opening 410 d. Top opening 410 a is made such that lens 102 can be inserted in (i.e. pass through) it during the assembly process. Openings 410 a and/or 410 b are designed such that when lens 102 is located inside lens carrier 404 there are no other parts between the lowermost and/or uppermost points (e.g. 206 a-b) in lens 102 and, respectively, a bottom lid 412 and top lid 110. Openings 410 c and 410 d are dimensioned such that lens carrier 404 would not interfere with light coming from the OPFE to the image sensor. That is, openings 410 c and 410 d are made such that (1) any ray of light coming from the OPFE and which would have reached sensor 116 through the lens 102 if lens carrier 404 did not exist, will reach sensor 116 passing through openings 410 c-d, and (2) any ray of light coming from the OPFE and which would have not reached sensor 116 through the lens if lens carrier 404 did not exist, will not reach sensor 116. In addition, in some embodiments, actuated sub-assembly 402 may be designed such that there is no point on actuated sub-assembly 402 higher than point 206 a and there is no point on actuated sub-assembly 402 lower than point 206 b. This feature ensures that height H of camera 100 is limited only by lens height 206.

Actuator 108 further includes a base 420, made for example of plastic or of a liquid crystal polymer. Actuated sub-assembly 402 is suspended over base 420 using two springs: a front spring 422 and a back spring 424. Springs 422 and 424 can be made for an example from stainless-steel or beryllium-copper. Springs 422and 424 are designed such that they form a linear rail along the Z axis, namely that they have a low spring coefficient along the Z axis and a high spring coefficient in other directions: Y axis, X axis, and rotations around X, Y and Z axes. Using two springs to create a linear rail is known in the art, however springs 422 and 424 are designed such that their suspension point on base 420 is on one side (positive X axis) and their suspension point on lens carrier 404 is on the other side (negative X axis). Furthermore, each of springs 422 and 424 has an open circular part. The described design of springs allows to the following properties: (1) achieve desired linear rail properties; (2) the springs do not sacrifice optical properties of camera 100 by blocking any light coming from the OPFE to the image sensor; (3) a spring does not reflect any ray of light coming from the OPFE or from lens 102 that it would arrive at the sensor; (4) none of the suspensions of springs 422 and 424 is along the Y axis, and thereby no additional height is needed or used for the suspensions; and (5) the springs may withstand drop of the camera

In some embodiments, actuator 108 further includes integrally a shield 430, typically made of a folded non-ferromagnetic stainless-steel sheet, with typical thickness of 100-300 μm. In other embodiments, camera 100 may include a shield similar to shield 430 which is fixedly attached to camera 100 and/or to actuator 108 at some stage of assembly. Regardless of whether the shield is integral to the actuator or a separate part fixedly attached to the actuator, the description herein refers to the shield as being “part” of the actuator. Shield 430 surrounds base 420 and actuated sub-assembly 402 on four sides, see also FIG. 1B. Some sections of the shield may have openings, while other may be without openings. For example, an opening 431 in the top part of the shield allows the installation of lens 102 in actuator 108. In some embodiments, top lid 110 and bottom lid 412 are the only parts that add (in addition to the lens) to camera height H. In some embodiments (as in FIG. 4A) bottom lid 412 is part of shield 430, while in other embodiments, bottom lid 412 can be separated from shield 430. In some embodiments, shield 430 may have varying thicknesses, in the range given above, while the bottom lid 412 thickness is kept in the range of 50-200 μm.

In camera 100, OPFE 104 is positioned in a back side 432 (negative Z) of base 420. FIG. 4D shows another embodiment of an actuator disclosed herein, numbered 108′. In actuator 108′, base 420 is separated into two parts: a base back side 432 and a base back front side 433. In actuator 108′, OPFE 104 is installed in-base back side 432, and then base back side 432 is attached (e.g. glued) to other parts of actuator 108′.

Actuator 108 further includes an electronic sub-system 440, FIG. 4B shows electronic sub-system 440 from one side, and FIG. 4C shows electronic sub-system 440 from another side. Electronic sub-system 440 includes actuator PCB 442, a coil 444 and a driver integrated circuit (IC) 450. Coil 444 and IC 450 are soldered to actuator PCB 442, such that coil 444 is connected electrically to IC 450 and IC 450 is connected to four wiring pads 452 a-d on actuator PCB 442. Wiring pads 452 a-d are used to deliver electronics signals to IC 450. Four electrical signals typically included operating voltage (Vdd), ground (Gnd) and two signals used for IIC protocol (signal clock (SCL) and signal data (SDA)) as known in the art. In other embodiments, other protocols may be used, such as SPI protocol, known in the art, or IC 450 may need more than one operating voltage to operate; is such cases there may be more, or less, than 4 wiring pads, for example in the range of 2-8. Actuator PCB 442 is glued to base 420 from the outside such that coil 442 and IC 450 pass through a hole 420 a in base 420, and such that coil 444 is positioned next to magnet 406, and IC 450 is positioned next to magnet 408. The typical distance of coil 444 to magnet 406, and of IC 450 to magnet 408 is in the range of 50-200 μm. This distance may allow actuated sub-assembly 402 to move along the Z axis without interference. In some embodiments, actuator 108 may work in an open-loop control method, as known in the art, i.e. where a current signal is sent to the coil without position control mechanism, Coil 444 has exemplarily stadium shape, typically with a few tens of windings (e.g. in a not limiting range of 50-250) and with a typical resistance of 10-30 ohm. Coil 444 is fixedly connected to IC 450, capable of sending input currents to coil 444. Current in coil 444 creates a Lorentz force due to magnetic field of magnet 406: exemplary a current in a clockwise direction will create a force in the positive Z direction, while a current in counterclockwise direction will create a force in the negative Z direction. The full magnetic scheme (e.g. the pole direction of fixed magnet 406) is known in the art, and described for example in detail in patent application PCT/IB2016/052179.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show, respectively, cross sections of a complete camera 100 along cuts A-A and B-B (FIG. 1A). Cuts A-A and B-B are respectively in Y-Z and X-Y planes. As shown in the cross section of FIG. 5B, lens carrier 404 may further include a V-groove 504 in its bottom. V-groove 504 allows pick-and-place mounting of lens 102 by insertion from top opening 410 a without the need of active alignment (see below).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, that height H of camera 100 is equal to the height of lens 102+the thickness of bottom lid 412+the thickness of top lid 110+two air gaps 510 a and 510 b. Air gaps 510 a-b are dimensioned to allow motion of lens 102 without interference during actuation. The motion of lens 102 is for focusing (and in particular for auto focusing) along the Z axis and\or for OIS along the X direction; actuation modes for both AF and OIS are known in the art. For example, in some embodiments, each air gap 510 a or 510 b may be larger than about 10 μm, for example in the range 10-50 μm, 10-100 μm or 10-150 μm. Thus, the structure of camera 100 maximizes the contribution of lens 102 to the total height of camera 100. In other embodiments, the camera height may slightly exceed H, for example by up to 300 μm, due to the OPFE or the image sensors having a height dimension slightly larger than H. To summarize, in camera 100 the height H is no more than about 600 μm above height 206 of lens 102. In this description, the use of the terms “about” or “substantially” or “approximately” with reference to height or another dimension mean, in some embodiments, the exact value of the height or dimension. In other embodiments, these terms mean the exact value plus a variation of up to 1% of the value, the exact value plus a variation of up to 5% of the value, or even the exact value plus a variation of up to 10% of the exact value.

FIG. 6 shows the internal structure of IC 450. IC 450 includes a current driving circuit 602, exemplary an H-bridge, a position (e.g. PID) controller 604, an analog to digital converter (A2D) 606, a Hall bar element 608 and a user interface 610. Upon actuation, the relative position of actuated sub-assembly 402 and Hall bar element 608 is changed. The intensity and direction of the magnetic field senses by Hall bar element 608 is changed as well. The output voltage of Hall element 608 is proportional to the magnetic field intensity. A2D 606 converts the voltage level to digital numbers which are input to position controller 604. Position controller 604 is used to control the position of the actuated sub-assembly and set to the position commands given by user in user interface 610. The control circuit output is the amount of current applied in coil 444. The full magnetic scheme (e.g. the pole direction of fixed magnet 408) is known in the art, and described for example in detail in PCT patent application PCT/IB2016/052179.

The description of actuator 108 provided herein is only an example. In other embodiments, the actuator may have a different guiding mechanism (for example a ball guided actuator as disclosed in co-owned patent application PCT/IB2017/054088), may include more actuation directions (for example an actuator including AF and OIS as disclosed in PCT/IB2017/054088), may have a different magnetic scheme (for example an actuator with magnetic reluctance magnetic scheme as disclosed in co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 9,448,382). In all such cases the actuator may be dimensioned/made/designed such that some or all of the following properties of camera 100 are preserved: (1) the height H is no more than about 600 μm above height 206 of lens 102; (2) the height H is substantially equal to a sum of the lens height (206), the first lid thickness, the shield thickness, the size of a first air gap between a first point on a surface of the lens facing the lid and the size of a second air gap being between a second point on a surface of the lens diametrically opposed to the first point and facing the shield; (3) there is no point on actuated sub-assembly 402 higher than point 206 a and there is no point on actuated sub-assembly 402 lower than point 206 b.

FIG. 7 shows a dual-camera 700 that includes for example a camera such as camera 100 as well as an upright camera 702, the latter known in the art. The operation of a dual-camera is known in the art, for example as described in co-owned patent applications PCT/IB2015/056004 and PCT/IB2016/052179. Camera 702 is fixedly attached to camera 100 close to OPFE 104. In embodiment 700, the location of camera 702 is to the negative Z side of folded camera 100, and the mechanical attachment is done using a bracket 704, normally made from stain-less steel. In other embodiments, camera 702 may be located on the negative or positive X side of camera 100, for example as described in PCT/IB2016/052179. In other embodiments camera 702 may be attached to camera 100 by other ways and means than by bracket 704.

Example of Folded Camera Assembly Process

In one embodiment, an example assembly process (method) for a folded camera described with reference to FIG. 8A may include, after a known in the art assembly of an actuator such as actuator 108:

-   -   Step 1: Insertion of lens 102 into actuator 108 and attaching it         to lens carrier 404 from the top (Y direction, perpendicular to         optical axis 114) using e.g. a pick-and-place method. This can         be achieved because of top opening 431 left in shield 430 of         actuator 108 and opening 410 a left in lens carrier 404 of         actuator 108, and because of the mechanical structure of lens         carrier 404 and base 420. When inserting lens 102, air gap 510 b         is formed below lens 102 and above shield 430.     -   Step 2: Insertion of OPFE 104 into base 420 of actuator 108 from         the top (Y direction, perpendicular to optical axis 114) using         e.g. a pick-and-place method. This can be achieved because of         the mechanical structure of base 420.     -   Step 3: Fixedly attach top lid 110 to the top surface of shield         430. When fixing top lid 110, air gap 510 a is formed above lens         102 and below lid 110.     -   Step 4: Installation of image sensor-PCB sub-assembly 106.         Sensor 116 may be installed using two optional methods: (1) an         active alignment process or (2) a mechanical alignment process.         The two alignment processes allow setting the image sensor         perpendicular to optical axis 114 with different accuracy, as         known in the art.

The creation of air gaps 510 a, 510 b in respectively steps 1 and 3 above allows motion of lens 102 relative to the other parts of camera 100.

The assembly process above (steps 1-4) is relevant to a folded camera as in FIG. 1B and FIG. 5B. In some other embodiments, for example as in FIGS. 1C and 1D, the assembly process may include insertion of the OPFE from one side and insertion of the lens from the opposite side. In yet other embodiments, the insertion of the lens may be through a bottom opening (not shown) in a bottom surface of the shield opposite to the top opening above, and the bottom opening is then further covered by a bottom shield lid (not shown), which may have the same or similar thickness as the top lid.

In yet other embodiments with an actuator such as actuator 108′ where the base is separated into two parts, OPFE 104 may be installed from other directions (top or front) in base back side 432. In this case, base back side 432 may be attached to actuator 108′ after the OPFE and lens installation in a step 2′ between steps 2 and 3 (FIG. 8B).

As used herein, the phrase “for example,” “such as”, “for instance” and variants thereof describe non-limiting embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. Reference in the specification to “one case”, “some cases”, “and other cases” or variants thereof means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment(s) is included in at least one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter. Thus, the appearance of the phrase “one case”, “some cases”, “other cases” or variants thereof does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s).

Unless otherwise stated, the use of the expression “and/or” between the last two members of a list of options for selection indicates that a selection of one or more of the listed options is appropriate and may be made.

It should be understood that where the claims or specification refer to “a” or “an” element, such reference is not to be construed as there being only one of that element.

It is appreciated that certain features of embodiments disclosed herein, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments or examples, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features disclosed herein, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment disclosed herein. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

In embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter one or more steps illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B may be executed in a different order and/or one or more groups of steps may be executed simultaneously.

All patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual patents and patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.

While this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of the embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The disclosure is to be understood as not limited by the specific embodiments described herein, but only by the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for assembling a folded camera, comprising: providing an actuator for the folded camera, the actuator having a shield and a lens carrier; inserting a lens of the folded camera into the actuator through respective openings in the shield and the lens carrier, the lens having a lens optical axis; inserting an optical path folding element (OPFE) into the actuator, wherein the OPFE folds light arriving from a first direction to a second direction, wherein the top surface of the shield faces the light from the first direction, and wherein the second direction is substantially parallel to the lens optical axis; covering the shield opening with a lid, such that air gaps formed above and below the lens are dimensioned to allow motion of the lens without interference during actuation; and attaching an image sensor of the folded camera to the actuator.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a base, and wherein at least parts of the base are surrounded by the shield.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the inserting the OPFE into the actuator includes inserting the OPFE into the base of the actuator from a direction parallel to the first direction.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a base separated into two base parts, and wherein the inserting the OPFE into the actuator includes inserting the OPFE into the base of the actuator from a direction parallel to the first direction or from a direction parallel to the second direction.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the covering the shield opening with a lid includes fixedly attaching the lid to the shield.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the opening is a top opening in the shield, and wherein the inserting the OPFE into the actuator includes inserting the OPFE from a direction parallel to the first direction.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein each air gap is in the range of 10-50 μm.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein each air gap is in the range of 10-100 μm.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein each air gap is in the range of 10-150 μm.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the folded camera is used in a mobile device.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the mobile device is a smartphone.
 12. A method for assembling a folded camera, comprising: providing an actuator for the folded camera, the actuator having a shield, a lens carrier and a base separated into a back base part and a front base part; inserting a lens of the folded camera into the actuator through respective openings in the shield and the lens carrier, the lens having a lens optical axis; inserting an optical path folding element (OPFE) into the actuator back base part, wherein the OPFE folds light arriving from a first direction to a second direction, wherein the top surface of the shield faces the light from the first direction, and the second direction is substantially parallel to the lens optical axis; attaching the back base part to the front base part; covering the shield opening with a lid, such that air gaps formed above and below the lens are dimensioned to allow motion of the lens without interference during actuation; and attaching an image sensor of the folded camera to the actuator.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the covering the shield opening with a lid includes fixedly attaching the lid to the shield.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the opening is a top opening in the shield, and wherein the inserting the OPFE into the actuator includes inserting the OPFE from a direction parallel to the first direction.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein each air gap is in the range of 10-50 μm.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein each air gap is in the range of 10-100 μm.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein each air gap is in the range of 10-150 μm.
 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the folded camera is used in a mobile device.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the mobile device is a smartphone. 